middle class

One of the nastier stereotypes about working class people is that they hit their children. Now, however, working class people are being blamed for not hitting their children enough. Politicians and columnists who are encouraging parents to smack their children are relying on prejudice and class stereotypes.

Britain may be broke, but the government's desperation to cut the deficit seems to have its limits. This morning, Eric Pickles has ruled out an increase in council tax for houses valued at more than £1million. He is portraying measures that would affect only the richest as an attack on the "middle class". In reality, the government is consistent in pursuing the interests of the very wealthy at the expense of the rest of us.

The Bishop of Reading has expressed his frustration with the Church of England's middle class image, contrasting it with the message of Jesus and insisting that the Church should be a place “where people can be just as they are”.